Chapter 150: Within Reach
As Xiao Yi wondered how to explain himself.
Gao Shi suddenly bounced back and said, "Captain, I have heard that Master Yi Xiao used to work on alchemy bounty missions in Qianle City."
"Every time he completed a mission, those merchant families either gave no reward or offered Demon Beast Cores and Essence Blood."
"It seems that Master Yi Xiao really does need a large quantity."
"Right," another vice captain also said, "I've heard about this too. Captain, you know, whatever materials you give to an alchemist, they can refine all kinds of strange and startling elixirs."
"With Master Yi Xiao's skills, he surely needs a large amount of Demon Beast Cores and Essence Blood."
"Oh?" Ning Hao looked at Xiao Yi with confusion.
Xiao Yi chuckled to himself, since someone had already provided a 'natural' explanation, he was too lazy to think of any excuse.
Xiao Yi nodded with a smile and said, "They're right, Yi indeed needs a great quantity. Moreover, Yi would also like to ask you for a favor."
"Please, speak, Master Yi Xiao," Ning Hao quickly said.
"Do you know of any other Demon Hunting Teams that you are familiar with?"
"Of course," Ning Hao nodded and asked, "Does Master Yi Xiao wish to purchase the Demon Beast Cores and Essence Blood from other Demon Hunting Teams as well?"
"That's correct," Xiao Yi said, "I'll take as much as you have, I'll pay ten percent more than what those trading companies offer."
In reality, the Demon Beast Cores and Essence Blood that those trading companies sold were all purchased from Demon Hunting Teams.
And they bought them at low prices to sell later at a price several times higher.
This is the way of the merchant families; it is business. Notefromtheeditor:AlwayscheckMV2LEMPYRforcorrections.
If Xiao Yi could buy Demon Beast Cores and Essence Blood directly from Demon Hunters, it would undoubtedly be much cheaper.
"Even ten percent more?" Gao Shi's eyes suddenly lit up.
Ning Hao gave Gao Shi a look before saying to Xiao Yi, "Master Yi Xiao, the Gale Demon Hunting Team will sell you the Demon Beast Cores and Essence Blood at the original price."
"As for other Demon Hunting Teams, they have many ties with some of the local trading companies. I can't guarantee that I'll be able to help Master Yi Xiao with certainty."
"However, with Master Yi Xiao offering ten percent more, there shouldn't be a problem."
Xiao Yi nodded and said, "Then, thank you, Captain Ning Hao. Yi will leave a deposit first."
"Unnecessary," Ning Hao shook his head and smiled, "Alchemists are famously wealthy; I'm not worried about Master Yi Xiao owing me money."
"I would be more than glad to help Master Yi Xiao. Besides, this is a beneficial matter for our Gale Demon Hunting Team."
Xiao Yi laughed, not expecting that his visit to the Gale Demon Hunting Team this time would yield such a gain.
After chatting with Ning Hao for a while, Xiao Yi turned around to take his leave.
"Will Master Yi Xiao not stay for a few more days?" Ning Hao asked to stay, "I'll order my men to prepare the Demon Beast Cores and Essence Blood of our team right away."
"Meanwhile, I will go and negotiate with the other Demon Hunting Teams immediately. Within three days, I must have an answer for Master Yi Xiao."
Xiao Yi made a gesture of courtesy, declining, "Yi has urgent matters to attend to. I'll be back in three days."
Since he had a way to quickly obtain Demon Beast Cores and Essence Blood, it was time to start preparing enough money.
Of course, making money was not difficult for an alchemist.
...
Three days later, Xiao Yi paid another visit to the Gale Demon Hunting Team.
Ning Hao and several vice captains were already waiting for him.
The vice captains became much more enthusiastic.
"Someone, serve the tea," Gao Shi shouted, "Bring out the best tea."
"Master Yi Xiao, please take a seat."
"Master Yi Xiao, may I offer to massage your back for you?"
"If Master Yi Xiao has any needs, just command me..."
"Alright," Xiao Yi quickly stopped them, "Yi isn't as old as you think."
"Ha ha," Ning Hao laughed and said, "Master Yi Xiao is young but already a high-grade alchemist, you deserve the honor."
"As for Gao Shi, he's apologizing for his rudeness a few days ago," Ning Hao continued, clapping his hands.
Several servants brought over more than a dozen Qiankun Bags.
"Master Yi Xiao, these are the gains of our Gale Demon Hunting Team from the past three months; please have a look."
Demon Hunting Teams traded with trading companies every three months.
Murong Ke had terminated their deal, and now the harvest of these three months was all here.
Xiao Yi opened and inspected each item in turn.
The first four Qiankun Bags contained two Fourth-grade Inner Cores and two Fourth-grade Blood Essences.
One hundred of each.
The Gale Demon Hunting Team, besides Captain Ning Hao and a few deputy captains, also had dozens of Demon Hunters at the Mysterious Profundity Realm.
Over the course of several months, they had slain more than two hundred Fourth-level demon beasts.
Of course, these were among the weaker Fourth-level demon beasts, with strengths all below the Fourth Layer of Mysterious Profundity.
The other ten Qiankun Bags contained Third-level Demon Beast Essence Blood and Inner Cores, five bags of each.
Five hundred of each.
Xiao Yi nodded and said, "Two hundred bottles of Fourth Level Blood Essence, two hundred cores, two thousand five hundred bottles of Third-level Essence Blood, two thousand five hundred Third-level Inner Cores, I, Yi Xiao, offer two million Silver Taels. Does that satisfy you?"
"Fair," Ning Hao replied, "But after all, this is our first time trading with Master Yi Xiao, so for this batch of goods, I'll give it to you at half price."
"Half price?" Xiao Yi frowned.
Two million Silver Taels was already a great bargain for him.
One must know, to buy this much demon beast essence blood and cores from a trading company would cost no less than four million Silver Taels.
"To be honest," Ning Hao said, looking embarrassed, "I wasn't able to complete the task that Master Yi Xiao entrusted to me a few days ago, so…"
"Oh?" Xiao Yi said, puzzled, "Other Demon Hunting Teams wouldn't sell to me?"
"Yes," Ning Hao replied, "After all, other teams have years of transactions with trading companies and do not wish to upset them."
"I see," Xiao Yi chuckled, for he had anticipated this.
However, he had come prepared.
With that, he took out several Qiankun Bags and said, "Give these to them and tell them that trading companies would be more willing to trade these items with them."
"Oh?" Ning Hao opened them to look and was immediately shocked, "These are all perfect quality Fourth-grade Elixirs, easily a thousand pills, this…"
"Master Yi Xiao is very generous," he exclaimed.
"These elixirs can be used as hard currency, valued at ten million."
"Any trading company would be exceedingly envious."
Xiao Yi smiled. These elixirs were the result of his last few days of refining work.
Of course, these were just ordinary Elixirs, and not the Pure Elixirs.
"I will have to trouble Captain Ning Hao to make another trip," Xiao Yi said as he clasped his hands in gratitude.
"Rest assured, Master Yi Xiao, this time I am one hundred percent confident," Ning Hao said seriously.
Ning Hao took the Qiankun Bags and instructed, "Take good care of Master Yi Xiao. I will return within a day."
"Yes," the deputy captains responded in unison.
Ning Hao quickly departed.
In the Inner Hall, only Xiao Yi and a few deputy captains were left.
Then, Xiao Yi took out another Qiankun Bag and looked towards the deputy captains.
"Yi Xiao won't take advantage of you either. The silver notes and Silver Taels inside this Qiankun Bag add up to around five million Silver Taels."
As he spoke, Xiao Yi casually tossed the Qiankun Bag to Gao Shi, then unceremoniously took away the ten-plus bags filled with demon beast essence blood and inner cores.
"Five million Silver Taels?" The deputy captains were astounded, "Master Yi Xiao, this is too much; our essence blood and inner cores aren't worth so much money."
"Take it," Xiao Yi waved his hand, "Yi Xiao will not just trade with you once or twice, but for the long term. "
"Consider the extra money as a deposit for our next deal."
"Thank you, Master Yi Xiao," the men immediately rejoiced.
...
A day later, Ning Hao returned with a smile on his face.
"Master Yi Xiao, it's done," Ning Hao grinned, "There are fifteen Demon Hunting Teams, about our size, that are willing to trade with you."
"Fifteen teams," Xiao Yi was surprised; he hadn't expected Ning Hao to work so efficiently.
"However, Master Yi Xiao, your elixirs might not be enough," Ning Hao hesitated before adding.
"It's fine, let them bring their goods. I won't short them a single elixir," Xiao Yi confidently smiled.
He knew that the day for Breaking Core and Transforming Meridians was very close at hand.